Are you wondering how much military doctors and nurses earn in Nigeria in 2025? Whether you’re a medical student, health professional, or just curious, knowing the official salary of military doctors and nurses in Nigeria (2025) will help you understand what to expect if you choose a career in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Military doctors and nurses are among the most respected professionals in the service. They take care of soldiers, officers, and civilians in military hospitals and during peacekeeping missions. Their salary is different from civilian healthcare workers, and it also comes with special allowances and military ranks.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know from monthly salary breakdown to ranks, allowances, benefits, and promotion structure for military medical personnel in Nigeria.
Summary: Salary of Military Doctors and Nurses in Nigeria (2025)
| Profession | Rank Level | Monthly Salary (₦) | Allowances Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military Doctor (Entry) | Lieutenant / Captain | ₦220,000 – ₦300,000 | Hazard, uniform, housing, medical |
| Senior Military Doctor | Major / Lt. Colonel | ₦350,000 – ₦550,000 | Command allowance, transport |
| Military Consultant | Colonel and above | ₦600,000 – ₦1,000,000+ | Specialist bonus, mission allowance |
| Military Nurse (Entry) | Sergeant / Lt. | ₦90,000 – ₦150,000 | Shift, hazard, uniform |
| Senior Military Nurse | Warrant Officer / Captain | ₦160,000 – ₦250,000 | On-call, housing, risk |
Who Is a Military Doctor or Nurse in Nigeria?
A military doctor in Nigeria is a licensed medical professional who joins the Nigerian Army, Navy, or Airforce to work in military hospitals or during field operations. Military nurses work side-by-side with doctors to take care of patients, assist in surgeries, and handle emergencies on the battlefield or base.
They are not just healthcare workers — they are uniformed officers who go through military training and follow armed forces command just like other soldiers.
The official salary of military doctors and nurses in Nigeria reflects their dual roles as medical professionals and commissioned military personnel.
Military Medical Ranks in Nigeria
Military doctors and nurses are ranked according to their qualification and years of service. Doctors are usually commissioned as officers (starting from Lieutenant), while nurses may start as non-commissioned or junior commissioned officers.
Commissioned Ranks for Military Doctors:
Lieutenant (Entry-level for fresh doctors)
Captain
Major
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel
Brigadier General (for Consultants or Directors)
Major General (Chief Medical Directors)
Ranks for Military Nurses:
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO):
Corporal
Sergeant
Warrant Officer
Commissioned Nurses:
Lieutenant
Captain
Major (with additional experience and nursing certifications)
Your salary increases as you rise in rank, along with added allowances.
Nigerian Military Doctor Salary Per Month (2025)
Let’s now break down the official salary of military doctors in Nigeria (2025). Salaries are based on rank, years of experience, and medical specialization.
1. Entry-Level Military Doctor Salary (Lieutenant/Captain)
Monthly Salary: ₦220,000 – ₦300,000
Allowances:
₦25,000 – ₦50,000 Hazard Allowance
₦20,000 – ₦40,000 Uniform Allowance
₦30,000 – ₦60,000 Housing Allowance
Free medical services, duty transport
Fresh graduates from medical school who join through Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) are usually posted to military hospitals. After passing officer cadet training, they start receiving full officer salary and benefits.
2. Senior Military Doctor (Major to Lt. Colonel)
Monthly Salary: ₦350,000 – ₦550,000
Bonuses:
Command Allowance
Risk & Field Allowance
Transport & Call Duty Bonus
At this level, doctors may supervise other officers, lead military hospital units, or be assigned to battalion field duties.
3. Military Consultants (Colonel and Above)
Monthly Salary: ₦600,000 – ₦1,000,000+
Extra Benefits:
Specialist Consultation Fee
Official Housing & Transport
Military Escorts (for top-ranking medical officers)
These doctors may serve as heads of department or Chief Medical Directors in large military hospitals. They also attend peacekeeping missions or international operations.
Nigerian Military Nurse Salary Per Month (2025)
Military nurses also earn competitive salaries in 2025. Like doctors, their earnings depend on rank and work location.
1. Entry-Level Nurse Salary (Sergeant to Lieutenant)
Monthly Salary: ₦90,000 – ₦150,000
Allowances:
₦10,000 – ₦20,000 Shift Duty Bonus
₦15,000 – ₦30,000 Hazard Pay
₦15,000 – ₦25,000 Housing Allowance
Nurses may work in outpatient departments, surgical wards, and field hospitals. They assist military doctors and follow the same chain of command.
2. Senior Military Nurse Salary
Monthly Salary: ₦160,000 – ₦250,000
Additional Bonuses:
Night Shift Pay
Uniform Allowance
Risk Bonus (for combat operations)
Nurses with degrees and over 5 years of military experience are promoted into officer ranks and receive leadership positions.
Other Allowances for Military Medical Staff in Nigeria
In addition to base salary, military doctors and nurses receive multiple allowances and non-cash benefits:
Common Allowances:
Medical Risk Allowance
Housing/Accommodation
Uniform Maintenance
Call Duty & On-Call Bonus
Transport Reimbursement
Field/Combat Mission Allowance
Annual Leave Allowance
These benefits are often not available in the civilian healthcare sector, which makes the military medical salary structure in Nigeria more attractive in 2025.
How to Become a Military Doctor or Nurse in Nigeria
To earn the official salary of military doctors and nurses in Nigeria (2025), you must be qualified medically and go through military officer training.
Requirements for Military Doctors:
MBBS/BDS Degree (from accredited medical university)
NYSC Certificate or exemption
Age: 22 – 35 years
Good physical and mental health
Must pass military officer training via DSSC or NDA
Requirements for Military Nurses:
RN or BSc in Nursing
License from Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN)
Age: 18 – 28 years
Must complete paramilitary training
Civilian vs Military Medical Salary in Nigeria (2025)
Let’s compare military vs civilian doctor and nurse salaries in Nigeria:
| Profession | Civilian Hospital | Military Service |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (entry) | ₦150,000 – ₦200,000 | ₦220,000 – ₦300,000 |
| Doctor (senior) | ₦300,000 – ₦500,000 | ₦400,000 – ₦800,000+ |
| Nurse (entry) | ₦70,000 – ₦120,000 | ₦90,000 – ₦150,000 |
| Nurse (senior) | ₦140,000 – ₦220,000 | ₦160,000 – ₦250,000 |
Military medical workers also enjoy accommodation, free health coverage, transport, uniforms, and access to international training.
FAQs: Salary of Military Doctors and Nurses in Nigeria (2025)
How much is the official salary of military doctors in Nigeria (2025)?
Fresh military doctors earn between ₦220,000 – ₦300,000 monthly plus allowances. Consultants earn over ₦1 million.
Do military nurses earn more than civilian nurses in 2025?
Yes. Military nurses receive more bonuses, hazard allowance, and job security than civilian nurses.
Can military doctors be posted abroad?
Yes. They may serve in peacekeeping missions, training abroad, or diplomatic healthcare assignments.
Is DSSC the only entry route for military doctors?
No. You can also join via the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a cadet or through recruitment for military hospitals.
Is the military a good career for nurses in Nigeria?
Yes. It offers stable salary, housing, rank promotions, and pension after service.
Final Thoughts: Is the Official Salary of Military Doctors and Nurses Worth It?
If you are a qualified healthcare professional looking for a stable job, extra benefits, and a uniformed lifestyle, then the official salary of military doctors and nurses in Nigeria (2025) is absolutely worth considering.
You don’t just get paid more than your civilian counterparts — you also get trained, respected, and protected while building a long-term career with pension benefits.
Whether you are a medical student or licensed nurse, the Nigerian military offers you a strong foundation to grow, earn, and serve the country with dignity.